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By Eric Johnson
Published Feb 17, 2025

"An Honorable Profession" is a podcast and YouTube channel that introduces listeners and viewers to public officials including mayors, school-board members, and former secretaries of transportation.
"An Honorable Profession" is a podcast and YouTube channel that introduces listeners and viewers to public officials including mayors, school-board members, and former secretaries of transportation.

The Work of Politics

When we started building California Local five-ish years ago, we were alert to the fact that a lot of Americans, including many Californians, had grown cynical about politics—in particular, about politicians. We understood that this cynicism was somewhat justified, but felt it was also largely based on a lack of knowledge or understanding about what really takes place in the halls and chambers of government. 

Speaking for myself: Having covered local elected officials for years, I had long ago learned that most of them, regardless of their political affiliations, were decent people trying to do what they believed was the right thing. While it has been my job to hold these people accountable, and while I may or may not have agreed with their policy agendas or politics, the fact that I was professionally bound to give them a fair hearing caused me to develop a pretty deep level of respect for almost every one of them.

Ryan Coonerty, former mayor of Santa Cruz and former county supervisor, is on a mission to spread the news that the people we refer to here as “public servants” are worthy of that kind of respect. Since 2018, he has hosted a podcast called “An Honorable Profession,” where he interviews electeds from all over the country. (He took the name from something once said by Robert F. Kennedy.) (Senior. ;-)

Chris Neklason turned the tables on Coonerty a couple of years ago in an interview that does a first-rate job of explaining what it means to be an elected official. You’ll find that Q&A attached to the story below.

And this week, we return to Ryan and his podcast to tell a story about another Santa Cruz elected official whom we believe you should meet.


Setting Health as a Policy Goal

A decades-long fight to protect children leads to victory—with another battle on the horizon. 


Little Santa Cruz Beats Big Sugar

Ryan Coonerty, co-host of the podcast "An Honorable Profession," and Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, whom he calls "my vice-mayor."
SC Vice Mayor Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson on centering health in policy making, and her path to politics.


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Sacramento County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://sacramento.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Sacramento County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Winter! cookbook.


Celery stars in salad with Thai flavors

Celery combined with scallions, peanuts and cilantro makes a crunchy salad with just a pop of red pepper
New! Chopped veggies, peanuts provide plenty of crunch


Get to Know a Group

Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference logo Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference

Hands 4 Hope inspires young people to develop their leadership skills and give service to the community. The nonprofit offers school programs, outreach programs, and youth committees.

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California Media Alliance logo

From Our Media Allies

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Folsom Times logo Applications Open for Up to $5K in Local Performing Arts Scholarships

The Folsom Concert Association has announced its 2025 Performing Arts Scholarship Program. High school seniors throughout the Sacramento region can now apply for up to a $5,000 scholarship.

Folsom Times logo Folsom, Vista Both Shine in 2025 County Academic Decathlon

Folsom High School has successfully defended its championship title at the 45th annual Sacramento County Academic Decathlon, earning first place for the fourth consecutive year.

Folsom Times logo Cordova High’s Big Red Music Machine to Perform at Disneyland

The Big Red Music Machine from Cordova High School is set to bring its vibrant sound to the Disneyland Resort as part of the prestigious Disney Imagination Campus Performing Arts Program, scheduled for Feb. 18-20.

Folsom Times logo Folsom Tech Week Set to Unite Innovation and Leadership

50 distinguished speakers, workshops, hackathon part of 5-day action packed schedule in Historic Folsom

Folsom Times logo The Importance of Hyper-Local, Community Centered News

In an era where global events unfold at the speed of a tweet and information spreads faster than ever, there’s an often-overlooked need for news that is deeply anchored in our own backyards: that would be hyper-local, real-time, and accurate …

Folsom Telegraph logo East Bidwell, Iron Point Onramp Project Finally in Home Stretch

The Folsom City Council approved a contract with Ghirardelli Associates for the East Bidwell and Iron Point /US 50 Onramp Improvement Project last year. To put the finishing touches on the project, the council on Tuesday agreed to spend another …

Folsom Telegraph logo Rancho Cordova Church Destroyed in Fire; Pastors Say It Was Arson

A Rancho Cordova church was destroyed in an early morning fire Saturday, Feb. 8.

Deputies from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to the call at 2:45 a.m. at the Casa Fuego de Dios Church in the 10000 block …

Sacramento News and Review logo In the Wake of Washington Turmoil, U.C. Davis Hopes to See Federal Funding Continued for Delta Smelt Captive Breeding Program

The disinformation about the Delta Smelt spread by President Donald Trump and his Big Ag allies has deluged social media, as well as mainstream and alternative media, in recent weeks.

Rancho Cordova Grapevine Independent logo Superior Court Expands Hours of Operation

In an effort to better serve the public, the Sacramento Superior Court will extend its hours of operation at the Carol Miller Justice Center, starting April 7.

Rancho Cordova Grapevine Independent logo Local Teens Triumph in Junior Bike Program

During the Feb 3. City Council meeting, members of the Cordova High School Velo Lancers and the American River Bike Patrol (ARBP) were invited to present and celebrate the success of the patrol’s Junior Bike Program.

Sacramento News and Review logo Ringing in Lunar New Year in Woodland at the Oldest Chinese Restaurant in the Country

As Lunar New Year celebrations erupt across the valley, there is a small diner on Woodland’s Main Street that survives as a culinary testament to how Chinese immigrants helped build area’s farming heritage.

Sacramento News and Review logo Gallery: An Ocean of Determined People at the State Capital

Thousands of noon-time protesters gathered Wednesday at the State Capitol in Sacramento to fight back against the new administration of President Donald Trump. The protest was part of a “50 states, 50 protests, one day,” event organized by the 50501 …

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Recent Local News

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Sacramento City Council Approves Truxel Bridge

Read on for details about the $227 million Truxel Bridge over the American River, approved by the Sacramento City Council in their February 18 meeting.

(02/18/2025) The Sacramento Bee
District to Purchase 16 Electric Buses

In their February 4 meeting, the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Education approved the purchase of 16 electric school busses. Read on for more information about this electrifying move.

(02/13/2025) Elk Grove Citizen
What's in a (Zoo) Name?

It was contentious, but a decision has been made on the name for the Sacramento Zoo when it moved to Elk Grove. Read on to learn what it is.

(02/13/2025) The Sacramento Bee
Elk Grove Old Town Alcohol Permit Expansion Approved

In their February 12 meeting, the Elk Grove City Council approved raising the number of alcohol sale conditional use permit from three to six. Read on to learn more about next steps.

(02/13/2025) Elk Grove Citizen
The Latest on CapRadio and Sacramento State: Paid $1.6 Million Rent, Never Moved In

Read on for the latest in the strange, ongoing story of CapRadio and Sacramento State as they struggle forward.

(02/12/2025) The Sacramento Bee
UC Davis Admission Up

For the second year in a row, UC Davis fall semester admission were at record levels. Read on to learn more.

(02/12/2025) The Sacramento Bee
Sacramento Launches 'Street to Housing' Program

Read on to learn how a $5.85 million state grant is funding a City of Sacramento pilot program to place up to 100 encampment households into apartments.

(02/10/2025) CapPublicRadio
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Recent Statewide News

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How Newsom Has Responded to the LA Fires

In the days and weeks following the January Los Angeles County wildfires, Gov. Gavin Newsom and his office moved quickly to manage the response and begin recovery efforts after the blazes were contained. Since then, the governor has been singularly focused on the region, describing his approach as “an extended period of engagement” with L.A. during a press conference in Altadena last week.

(02/18/2025) CalMatters
California Has Known That Disabled People Need Help in Fires. After LA, Can It Better Prepare for the Next One?

California has known for years that it must pay extra attention to people with disabilities and limited mobility during natural disasters. Will it put the lessones of the L.A. fires to use for the next emergency?

(02/18/2025) CalMatters
‘A Step Backwards’: How Federal Threats to DEI Are Impacting California Schools

California schools are grappling with the U.S. Department of Education's letter requiring them to scrap their DEI programs.

(02/18/2025) EdSource
Big CA Insurance Hike Blocked for Now

Against the recommendation of his staff experts, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara denied a request from State Farm to green light “emergency” rate increases for insurance policy holders.

(02/17/2025) CalMatters
Crackdown on Power-Guzzling Data Centers May Soon Come Online in California

A spate of new bills in California and other states would protect consumers from electricity rate hikes that subsidize data centers.

(02/17/2025) CalMatters
Learning Through Burning: Moss Landing Fire Exposes Need for Changes in Battery Facilities

AS HOST TO the largest battery storage facility in the world, on a site that just had its fourth fire in four years, the people of Monterey County have grown to realize that Moss Landing is a learning laboratory for California’s green energy transition.

(02/15/2025) Local News Matters
Who’s Paying for California Politicians’ Travel? After CalMatters’ Report, Audit Proposes a Legal Fix

The audit by the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission followed CalMatters’ revelations that a law requiring trip organizers to annually disclose their major donors had been used only twice in seven years — even as interest groups continued paying millions for lawmakers’ travel.

(02/14/2025) CalMatters
Big Homeowner Rate Hike From State Farm Shot Down by California Regulator

In the wake of the Los Angeles fires, State Farm asked for an “emergency” premium increase of 22% on average for California homeowners. Lara today denied the request pending more information.

(02/14/2025) CalMatters
How Trump’s Drastic K-12 Plans Will — And Won’t — Change California Schools

Despite Trump’s plans, federal funding is a small part of California’s education budget and the state oversees curriculum.

(02/13/2025) CalMatters
Did Confusing Language Doom California’s Anti-Slavery Amendment? Lawmakers Want to Try Again

Californians rejected the anti-slavery ballot measure Proposition 6, which would have forbid forced prison labor. Reparations advocates want to try again in 2026.

(02/12/2025) CalMatters
CalMatters’ Reporting Helps Inspire Wage Theft Legislation

After a 2022 CalMatters series documenting long waits and low payouts for workers who claim their employers have shorted them on wages, California lawmakers have now proposed bills to try to ease the backlogs.

(02/12/2025) CalMatters
California Schools Still Fall Behind Despite Big Increases in Spending

As academic researchers continue to explore what happened to public education during and after the COVID19 pandemic, they are confirming the harsh reality of decline in such basic skills as reading and mathematics.

(02/12/2025) CalMatters
California Court Rules Against Baker in Revival of Same-Sex Wedding Cake Disputes

A California appeals court rules a baker can’t refuse to sell a generic cake to a lesbian couple. It’s part of a series of cases shaping the debate over free speech and anti-discrimination laws.

(02/12/2025) CalMatters
California City Makes ‘Aiding’ or ‘Abetting’ a Homeless Camp Illegal

Outreach workers in the Bay Area city of Fremont worry the new ordinance could target them, despite assurances from the city.

(02/12/2025) CalMatters
A Former Firefighter in the Legislature Has Ideas. Will Democrats Listen?

Sen. Kelly Seyarto is the only former career firefighter currently serving in the Legislature. But as a Republican in a Democratic supermajority, he says it can be challenging to make progress on wildfire policy.

(02/11/2025) CalMatters
‘It Was Just a Regular Morning’: Californians Picked Up in Recent ICE Raids Include Kids, Volunteers

Interviews suggest some people swept up in Trump’s immigration crackdown are dedicated to their families and communities — not hardened criminals.

(02/10/2025) CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company, LLC Issues a Product Recall on Undeclared Almonds in Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias (1oz) Pouches
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company LLC of Kea'au, HI is voluntarily recalling one batch of its Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias snack (1oz) pouches, due to the presence of undeclared almonds which are an allergen.
United States   (02/15/2025)
Image of City of Citrus Heights seal. City Celebrates Opening of Brewery in Citrus Heights Thanks to Business Attraction Incentive Program
Read how the Business Incentive Attraction Program brought a new brewery to the city.
City of Citrus Heights   (02/14/2025)
Image of City of Sacramento seal. Data Report: How the City responded to homelessness Feb. 3-9
The City of Sacramento has released its weekly progress report for the Citys Incident Management Team responding to homelessness. From Feb. 3-9, the City of Sacramento received 696 calls to 311 customer service related to unsheltered individuals. Through the work of the IMT, 761 calls were closed, meaning that either the issue was remedied, compliance was achieved, [...] The post …
City of Sacramento   (02/13/2025)
Image of United States seal. JE Bakery 2019 LLC DBA Broadway Bakery Issues Allergy Alert for Mislabeled Raisin Bran Muffin 6 Count Due to Undeclared Walnuts
JE Bakery 2019, LLC, Minneapolis MN is voluntarily recalling its Raisin Bran Muffin 6 count due to a labeling error. The affected product was mislabeled and instead contains Glorious Morning Muffins, which contains Walnuts, a known allergen not declared on the label.
United States   (02/13/2025)
Image of United States seal. Common Sense Soap Recalls Beef Tallow Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2025 - Common Sense Soap, a North Walpole, N.H. establishment, is recalling approximately 33,899 pounds of beef tallow that was processed, packaged, and labeled on behalf of...
United States   (02/12/2025)
Image of United States seal. FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Pasties Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for frozen, fully cooked ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and...
United States   (02/12/2025)
Image of United States seal. AKT Trading Inc. Recalls Seasoned Bamboo Shoots Because of Possible Health Risk
AKT Trading Inc of Torrance, California is recalling 120 packages of Menma Ajitsuke Prepared Bamboo Shoot Product, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product e
United States   (02/11/2025)
Image of City of Citrus Heights seal. Community Frequently Asked Questions: Sunrise Tomorrow, Proposed Owner-Initiated Amendment
Read more about the FAQ document.
City of Citrus Heights   (02/11/2025)
Image of City of Sacramento seal. Tracking down leaks: How a conservation specialist helps homeowners save water
On a Thursday morning like any other, Phillip Berkley pulled up to a home in the College Glen neighborhood, ready to investigate. As one of three water conservation representatives for the Citys Department of Utilities, he specializes in tracking down elusive leaks and helping homeowners save water. Our team inspects an average of 50 leaks [...] The post Tracking down …
City of Sacramento   (02/11/2025)
Image of City of Sacramento seal. Leaf season is over. Here’s how to manage yard waste and household junk pickup
Wondering what to do with your yard waste now that leaf season is over? The final day to put out leaf piles for collection was Feb. 3. The City of Sacramento's leaf season crews are completing their final round of claw collections, covering more than 93 city zones and collecting over 10,000 tons of yard [...] The post Leaf season …
City of Sacramento   (02/10/2025)